Is Kentucky grad transfer linebacker Denzil Ware a good fit for Florida State?

Last week, one of my sources made me aware of a potential graduate transfer to FSU by the name of Denzil Ware. Ware was a three-year starting linebacker at Kentucky who was suspended for the team’s bowl game, but returned for spring practice. He was named third-team All-SEC last season, specifically playing the rush outside LB. He was one of Kentucky’s better players of the last few seasons and shocked many observers when he announced that he was returning his senior season.

Numerous indicators have him coming to FSU. FSU was one of the schools in contention for his commitment out of high school before he ultimately decided on Kentucky.

I’m told both sides have a mutual interest, but there is still a feeling-out process to go through before anything can be ultimately decided or official. Willie Taggart’s staff didn’t recruit him, although with three years of college tape playing in the SEC, they’ll know exactly what their getting as a player. There’s sure to be no shortage of opinions they can find on what type of person he is as well.

He does possess a skill set that should be attractive to the Noles and FSU has a few remaining scholarships that would allow them to take him on if they determine he would be an asset.

There are pros and cons to every situation, and Denzil Ware to FSU is no different.

PROS

This would depend on where FSU and Ware feel he would be most impactful. He’s been listed by Kentucky as an outside linebacker. In the 3-4 (three defensive linemen, four linebackers) scheme that head coach Mark Stoops has used at Kentucky, he was more of a rush end.

In simple terms, he seems to be a stand-up defensive end.

The film I’ve watched on him shows that he seems to be pretty good at rushing the passer. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a stockpile of rushers who can pressure on the QB.

Last season, FSU didn’t do that well (Josh Sweat recorded 5.5 sacks and Brian Burns 6.5). Looking back, outside of Demarcus Walker in 2016, FSU hasn’t had much in that department. Defensive end was once a group that lacked depth, but recruiting has changed that up a bit.

If FSU moves him inside to linebacker he could also provide depth there. Finally, with the defense providing different blitz schemes on 3rd down, having another pass rusher coming from the inside wouldn’t be a bad thing.